The Hindu : Karnataka / Belgaum News : Nagappa proposes to set up park of statues

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 20, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Belgaum

Nagappa proposes to set up park of statues

Staff Correspondent

Nippani incident shows awareness among Dalits

BELGAUM: The Minister for Social Welfare, Y. Nagappa, has suggested setting up of a park of statues of all national heroes and eminent personalities, which will make it easy for the Government to protect them from anti-social elements and miscreants.

His suggestion was prompted by recurring incidents of desecration of statues by miscreants.

Speaking to presspersons here on Tuesday, he said that the public and leaders can decide to move the statues and install them in one park, which will help the police provide proper protection.

When asked if his suggestion is practical, as many people may not welcome the idea of removing the statues from the villages, towns and cities, the Minister said, "In that case, the local people should take the responsibility of protecting the statues in their respective localities. After all, the statues are of leaders who sacrificed their lives for the uplift of the poor and downtrodden."

On whether the Nipani incident, which sparked off protests all over the State, was politically motivated, he said that the State-wide agitations only indicated the increased awareness among the Dalits. The Minister for Agriculture Marketing and district in-charge, Prakash B. Hukkeri, who was also present, said that the incident did not have a political target.

However, Dr. Nagappa said that the Dalits were still not allowed to enter temples in rural areas. People should change their mindset and accept the Dalits, he said.

Foreign study scholarship

The Minister disclosed that the scholarship scheme aimed at providing free financial assistance to meritorious students for higher studies abroad has been extended to those belonging to the backward classes and minorities. The scheme was limited to students belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Under the scheme, Rs.10 lakhs will be given to 20 meritorious students, five each belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, and minorities every year.

Novel schemes

Dr. Nagappa said that the Government had announced two novel schemes that will be introduced from the current financial year.

Under one scheme, 1,000 candidates will be given training in nursing for three years with a yearly stipend of Rs. 25,000.

The Government will also provide them employment after completion of the course.

Under the other scheme, training will be given to 1,000 candidates in various computer courses with job assurance.

Boarding scholarship

The Minister said that the monthly scholarship for both pre and post matric boarders in Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes and Minorities hostels has been increased. This year, the scholarship to pre-matric boarders has been increased from Rs. 400 to Rs. 450 a month. The post-matric students will get Rs. 500 instead of Rs. 450. The Government is considering to increase the scholarship from Rs. 50 to Rs. 100.

Dr. Nagappa said that 43 residential schools, 10 each for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes, and 13 for minorities will be opened in 2005-06.

When asked about the number of cases of atrocities against Dalits, the Minister said that the newspaper reports indicated an increase in the number of reported cases.

Gouli conference

Dr. Nagappa said that he supported the demand for including people belonging to the "Gouli" community in the Scheduled Caste list. He promised to place their demand before the State Government soon.

Speaking after inaugurating a State-level conference of Goulis here on Tuesday, he said the Government was aware of the fact that Goulis were under-privileged and were eking out a living by selling milk.

He said that the Union Government has listed the community under Schedule-I and had evolved welfare measures.

The Akhil Bharat Gouli Samaj Seva Sangh, which organised the conference, submitted a memorandum to the Minister.

One of the demands is a berth in the Upper House for a member belonging to the community.

Mr. Hukkeri promised to start a Morarji Bhai Residential School, exclusively for children belonging to the community.

The Director of Devaraj Urs Research Centre, Bangalore, Chandramma S. Kanagali, urged the Government to set up a research centre to help dairy activities in Belgaum district.

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